Gettysburg Invitational - Meet Preview
GIRLS PREVIEW
After a big week at Carlisle over the past weekend, many of those same girls will be toeing the line at Gettysburg.
It doesn't appear PA#1 Marlee Starliper of Northern will race, but the field is still loaded with talent. Eastern York's Maddie McLain was fifth in 17:44 last week, a big PR. McLain can't be overlooked in AA this season and she'll be out to grab the win on Saturday. But Chambersburg's Abby Yourkavitch may have something to say about that. The senior was seventh in 17:54 at Carlisle and could certainly compete for the win.
Hershey's Andrea Demko is another one to watch. She was ninth at Carlisle and will once again be a factor. Demko also led her Hershey team to third at Carlisle, making them the top PA team. They also shot up to PA#7 in the latest rankings. They'll be going for the win again, but Chambersburg should give them a good challenge. Northern should be in the mix, too, as well as a trio of Virginia squads: Woodgrove, Briar Woods, and Heritage (Leesburg).
Among the other individuals to watch include Hershey's Faith Mark, Chambersburg's Sydney Parson, Northeastern's Margaret Carroll, Eastern York's Olivia McLain, Woodgrove's Sophie Hudak, and the Heritage duo of Jenny Schilling and Audrey Corbet.
Photo by Ethan Rissell
BOYS PREVIEW
The favorite on the boys' side looks to be John Delaney, coming up from Virginia. The John Handley senior placed sixth at Carlisle last week, running 15:41. His best challenge could come from Ward Ries of Preston (WV). Two other out-of-staters to watch in this field include Will Pompilio of Briar Woods (VA) and Rylan Pettit of Woodgrove (VA).
There's also a pair of runners Delaney saw last week at Carlisle, that will try to challenge for the win. Mifflin County's impressive freshman Brayden Harris should be up there. So should Cumberland Valley's Andrew Brown. Both Harris and Brown went low-16s at Carlisle on Saturday.
Mifflin County's Chayce Macknair and Hershey's Andrew Sullivan are a pair of other individuals that will be aiming for the top five on Saturday.
In the team race, Cumberland Valley is the top PA team to watch, but Woodgrove (VA) has a talented group capable of making a run at the title. Mifflin County wasn't far behind CV at Carlisle and should be in the mix. Briar Woods (VA), Chambersburg, and Hershey will look to get inside the top five, too.